Modified atmosphere packaging containers

ABSTRACT

A modified atmosphere container is provided. The container contains a body for receiving a product, a lid configured to provide a seal with a body opening, and a cartridge having a defined internal space. An active agent for preserving the freshness of the product may be disposed within the cartridge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/647,250, filed Mar. 23, 2018, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to containers for perishable goods or other goods having limited shelf lives. In particular, the present disclosure relates to containers configured to provide modified atmospheres in order to preserve goods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily appreciated that the many embodiments of the present invention can be utilized in a wide variety of applications and industries. The present invention can be utilized with the transportation, treatment, and storage of a plethora of items. Items such as but not limited to produce, cheeses, flowers, poultry and other meats and seafoods, nuts, dehydrated foods, mail, parcels, medical tools and equipment, etc. The items can be treated while being transported and or stored. Such treatments are carried out through the use of the various treatment sacks or sachets of the present invention as described below. The sacks, depending upon the application may be utilized to sanitize, eliminate and/or inhibit molds and/or pathogens, delay ripening and aging or senesce, and the like.

Conventional Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) devices modify the atmosphere of fresh fruits and products by controlling the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) within the packaging by the use of a permeable membrane. One such device is a rigid container as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,880,748 and 7,597,240. Other designs of MAPs include non-rigid or soft containers, such as bags. The present invention expands on the MAP devices by including at least one agent releasable device. The at least one agent releasable device or agent releasable sack or sachet, which at the choice of a user, has the capability to release at least one agent into the MAP and thus further modify the atmosphere of the MAP to gain the desired effect of the user. Examples of some agents available for release into the MAP are, but are not limited to, an insecticide, anti-microbial agent, ethylene gas, nitrogen gas or a combination. Additionally, the releasing device may also be configured to control a release of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) for sanitation of the contents of packaging. Additionally, the present invention provides a method for releasing agents into a modified atmospheric package. Use of sachets in MAP applications has been described in reference to other devices including in U.S. Pat. No. 9,527,684, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As shown in FIG. 1, a modified atmosphere packaging system 10 may generally include a cylindrical container 12, a lid 14, and a cartridge 16. Container 12 is shown generally as a hollow body having an open top and a cylindrical shape. The shape of container 12, however, may be of any of a variety of suitable shapes including those having triangular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, or other cross-sectional shapes. Container 12 generally defines an interior, hollow space for receiving and storing goods. The space may be at least partially defined by a wall 18 extending from a floor 20 to a rim 22. An optional sealing ridge 24 is provided as a continuous raised ridge traversing the perimeter of the exterior of wall 18. Sealing ridge 24 may be positioned such that it contacts a corresponding ridge on an interior of lid 14 whereby when lid 14 is pressed downwardly over container 12, the ridge in lid 14 snaps over sealing ridge 24 to lock lid 14 in place with respect to container 12. Alternatively, lid 14 m container 12 or both may include compression seals, screw threads, or other means for providing a sealed engagement.

Cartridge 16 includes a cover label sachet label 26, sachet 28, sachet containment tray 30, and sachet release label 32. Sachet cover label 26 may include printed information regarding the contents of container 12, sachet 28, or both. Such information may include expiration dates, ingredients, warnings, or other information. Alternatively, sachet cover label 26 may include a color indicator that changes with the concentration of an agent released by sachet 28 whereby a user may be provided with a visual indication of the concentration of such agent and, therefore, the potential effectiveness of an assembled cartridge 16. In such embodiments, lid 14 may be provided with a transparent portion or be manufactured from a transparent material through which a user could assess the efficacy of cartridge 16 after it is installed on container 12 containing a good without the need to break a seal between lid 14 and container 12 and exposing the interior of container 12 to the external atmosphere.

Sachet 28 includes at least one active ingredient held within a permeable container 34. While a sachet is shown, other devises such as sacks, pucks, or other devices suitable for providing the active ingredient may be used. The active ingredient may be selected to release one or more agent within cartridge 16. Depending upon the application, the active ingredient and agent(s) may be utilized to sanitize, eliminate and/or inhibit molds and/or pathogens, delay ripening and aging or senesce, and the like.

Sachet 28 in the present embodiment may be a dry chemical sachet, commonly known in the art of dry chemical sachets. One example of a dry chemical sachet that may be employed in the present embodiment is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) or foreign lands approved insecticide such as, but not limited to, sulfur dioxide. However, it should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the sachet 28 may contain an anti-microbial such as but not limited to chlorine dioxide. Still further, the sachet 40 may contain releasable gases such as but not limited to ethylene, carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

An example of the at least one agent releasable sack 40 is described in a report tilted EFFICACY OF CHLORINE DIOXIDE GAS SACHETS FOR ENHANCING THE MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY AND SAFETY OF BLUEBERRIES by Popa, I; Hanson, E J; Todd, E C; Schilder, A C; and Ryser, E T of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich. 48824, Sep. 7, 2009. “In response to increasingly stringent microbial specifications being imposed by purchasers of frozen blueberries, chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas generated by a dry chemical sachet was assessed for inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli O157:H7 as well as five yeasts and molds known for blueberry spoilage. Fresh blueberry samples (100 g) were separately inoculated with cocktails of L. monocytogenes, Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7 (three strains each), or yeasts and molds (five strains each) to contain approximately 10(6) CFU/g and exposed to ClO2 (4 mg/liter, 0.16 mg/g) for 12 h a sealed 20-liter container (99.9% relative humidity) at approximately 22 degrees C. After gassing, 25 g of blueberries was added to 225 ml of neutralizing buffer, pulsified for 1 min, and plated using standard procedures to quantify survivors. This treatment yielded reductions of 3.94, 3.62, 4.25, 3.10, and 3.17 log CFU/g for L. monocytogenes, Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, yeasts, and molds, respectively. Thereafter, 30 lugs of uninoculated blueberries (approximately 9.1 kg per lug) were stacked on 1.2 by 1.2-m pallets (5 lugs per level×six levels), tarped, and exposed to ClO2 (18 mg/liter, 0.13 mg/g) for 12 h. After gassing, significant (P<0.05) reductions of 2.33, 1.47, 0.52, 1.63, and 0.48 log CFU/g were seen for mesophilic aerobic bacteria, coliforms, E. coli, yeasts, and molds, respectively, compared with non-gassed controls. No significant differences (P>0.05) in microbial inactivation were seen between lug levels and, with one exception (mesophilic aerobic bacteria), between the bottom and top surface of individual lugs. Based on these findings, ClO2 sachets may provide a simple, economical, and effective means of enhancing the microbial shelf life and safety of blueberries.”

Similarly, in an article by S. Y. Lee, M. Costello and D. H. Kang of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Washington State University, Pullman, Wash., 99164 dated September 2007 states the following: “Aqueous solutions of sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid are typically used to sanitize fresh fruits and vegetables. However, pathogenic organisms occasionally survive aqueous sanitization in sufficient numbers to cause disease outbreaks. Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas generated by a dry chemical sachet was tested against food borne pathogens on lettuce leaves. Lettuce leaves were inoculated with cocktail of three strains each of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella typhimurium and treated with ClO2 gas for 30 min, 1 h, and 3 h in a model gas cabinet at room temperature (22±2° C.). After treatment, surviving cells, including injured cells, were enumerated on appropriate selective agar or using the overlay agar method, respectively. Total ClO2 generated by the gas packs was 4.3, 6.7, and 8.7 mg after 30 min, 1 h, and 3 h of treatment, respectively. Inoculated lettuce leaves exposed to ClO2 gas for 30 min experienced a 3.4-log reduction in E. coli, a 4.3-log reduction in Salmonella Typhimurium, and a 5.0-log reduction in L. monocytogenes when compared with the control. After 1 hour, the three pathogens were reduced in number of CFU by 4.4, 5.3, and 5.2 log, respectively. After 3 h, the reductions were 6.9, 5.4, and 5.4 log, respectively. A similar pattern emerged when injured cells were enumerated. The ClO2 gas sachet was effective at killing pathogens on lettuce without deteriorating visual quality. Therefore, this product can be used during storage and transport of lettuce to improve its microbial safety.” This type of agent is utilized in the sack in another exemplary embodiment made in accordance with the present invention.

Another example of a dry chemical sachet that may be employed in the at least one agent releasable sack or sachet is an oxygen absorber type packet. An oxygen absorber packet can be used to prolong the shelf life of food and retard the growth of oxygen using aerobic micro-organisms such as fungi. The presence of oxygen in the packaging of fresh fruits and produce supports the growth of micro-organisms and cause changes in color of the product. The presence of oxygen in the packaging also can cause rancid odors. Oxygen absorbers absorb oxygen and effectively reduce the aerobic environment and can be used to achieve a 0% oxygen level within the packaging. Therefore, aerobic bacteria and fungi are less likely to grow in an oxygen depleted environment. An advantage of oxygen sachets versus vacuum packaging is that the food products are not crushed or squeezed, as some products are of high value or can be damage easily from the packaging. Another advantage is simplicity of use. Oxygen-absorbers are made in different formulations to match the water activity of different foods. Oxygen absorbers can be activated by the presence of humidity. An example of an oxygen absorber common in the art is a sachet of iron carbonate.

Still another example of a dry chemical sachet that may be employed in the at least one agent releasable sack or sachet is a carbon dioxide generating type packet. One type of carbon dioxide generating sachet can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,797,235, by Boldt.

Further, it is anticipated by the present invention that products other than fresh fruits and vegetables will benefit from this invention. For instance, certain flowers or meat products that do not require a modified atmosphere package may be banned from being shipped into certain countries because of micro-organisms that may infest the flowers. The packaging system 10 of the present invention may be use to disperse an insecticide on such products, even though a MAP is not required, thus allowing a supplier access to more locations for his products.

In the present embodiment, the at least one agent releasable sack 40 is constructed using various paper and polymer combinations, which are filled with microspheres embedded with chemicals, anti-oxidants, herbs, spices and plant based materials. An example of an at least one agent releasable sack 40 can be found in U.S. Patent Application number 2008/0131395, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The at least one agent releasable sack 40, in various other exemplary embodiments includes a temperature controlled release valve. Particularly, one exemplary embodiment would include that sack lining being comprised of a material that acts as a valve at particular temperatures. As fresh fruits and produce are shipped, they are also refrigerated. As the produce nears the intended destination, the temperature of the environment of the device 10 may be warmed. At a preset temperature, the temperature release valve opens and a gas chosen by the user is released into the package 20. For example, an erogenous ethylene gas may be introduced through the release valve into the MAP environment. The introduction of ethylene gas will wake up the product and accelerate the ripening process. The ripening process of fresh fruits, bananas, avocados, kiwi, peppers, melons, pears, stone fruits, tomatoes, etc, which are stored or contained in MAP environments, is generally suppressed by the presence of CO2, which further inhibits ripening. In order to ripen, CO2 must be exhaled from the package 20 and oxygen allowed to enter the MAP environment. The release of CO2 and the ingestion of oxygen allows ethylene gas generated by the fruits or ethylene gas introduced to reach a proper level and become effective in ripening the fruits. An example of a CO2 releasing sack can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,666, Finnegan, et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Further, a hormone can be released from the sachet to assist with delaying ripening and senesce. An example of one such hormone is SmarFresh marketed by AgroFresh Inc. This hormone is a synthetic produce quality enhancer based on 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). The 1-MCP's mode of action is via a preferential attachment to the ethylene receptor, thereby blocking the effects of both endogenous and exogenous ethylene. Another example is the use of a combination of 5-10% O2 and 0-5% CO2 gas released by the sachets can be useful for delaying senescence and for firmness retention in produce, such as oranges. U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,849 and EP1237411 disclose incorporation of these gaseous cyclopropenes into a molecular encapsulation agent complex in order to stabilize their reactivity and thereby provide a convenient and safe means of storing, transporting, and applying or delivering the active compounds to plants, avoiding the problems presented by the unstable gases. For the most effective cyclopropene derivative disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,988, 1-methylcyclopropene (“1-MCP”), the preferred molecular encapsulation agent is a cyclodextrin, with alpha-cyclodextrin being the most preferred. The encapsulation of 1-MCP improves the stability of the product during transportation and storage by allowing the 1-MCP to be delivered in a powdered form and later activated by contacting the complex with gaseous or liquid water to release the 1-MCP gas. Thus, the application or delivery of these active compounds to plants is accomplished by simply adding water or humidity from within the container to the molecular encapsulation agent complex that is disposed within the sack or sachet of the present invention. All of the above patents referenced in this paragraph are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

Sachet containment tray 30 provides a hollow recess in which one or more sachets 28 may be placed. In general, sachet containment tray includes a rim 36, a floor 38 having a plurality of perforations 40. Rim 36 may be sized to interface with rim 22 of container 12 such that floor 38 is maintained in a position above floor 20.

When assembled before use, cartridge 16 includes at least one sachet 28 positioned in containment tray 30. Cover sachet label 26 covers sachet containment tray 30 and may be adhesively or otherwise coupled to sachet containment tray 30 to provide an air-tight seal. Sachet release label 32 is adhered to a bottom of sachet containment tray 30 such that perforations 40 are covered and the interior of cartridge 16 is not in fluid communication with the air outside the interior of sachet containment tray 30.

The configuration of cartridge 16 allows for a streamlined process of packaging goods. A user or machine may fill container 12 with a desired product and removing sachet release label 32 by means of pulling a tab 42. Once sachet release label 32 is removed, the interior of sachet containment tray 30 is placed in fluid communication with the atmosphere external to cartridge 16 by way of perforations 40. When assembled with container 12 and lid 14, this places the hollow region of container 12 in which the goods have been placed in fluid communication with the interior of cartridge 16 where sachet 28 releases one or more agents. Lid 14 and container 12 provide a seal whereby a closed atmosphere is created and conditioned by the agent released by sachet 28.

Alternatively, other means of placing sachet 28 in fluid communication with the interior of container 12 may be utilized. These may include breakable seals, pre-scored perforations that may be broken, or the like. The design of cartridge 16 may be such that a packaging system with a container and lid may be reused with a new cartridge. This may be done to allow a container of goods to be re conditioned with a new cartridge without the need to replace container 12 and/or lid 14, or to permit cleaning and reuse of these components upon consumption of the goods.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a standard mason jar can be the basis of a MAP container. Container 112 may be a standard mason jar where lid portion 114 includes a ring 146 and canning lid 148. Container 112 includes a shoulder 150 that tapers the overall diameter to a standard opening neck 152 that includes threads 154. Ring 146 is used to secure lid 148 to neck 152 as is conventionally done with mason jars. Cartridge 116 may be adhered to an underside of lid 148. Lid 148 includes a raised portion 156 along its perimeter which allows for a rubber seal 158 to be disposed within a corresponding recess along the underside of lid 148. Cartridge 116 includes a sachet (not shown) disposed within sachet containment housing 130 which includes a floor 138 and perforations 140 that allow for fluid communication, namely air circulation, between the interior of housing 130 and its sachet and the surrounding air. Release label 132 may cover perforations 140 until it is necessary to assemble a MAP container in the same manner as release label 32 in the previous embodiment. This provides a single use lid that may be used in combination with reusable mason jars for purposes of allowing small scale users to rapidly assemble MAP containers for storage of goods.

As shown in FIG. 4, a cylindrical container with a removable lid may be provided. In some embodiments, the containers may be stackable for storage of larger quantities of goods. The lid may include raised portions to act as spacers permitting airflow around the containers. There can be an optional hole or port, which can be permanent and or removable such as a perforated opening that can be quickly removed.

On an underside of the lid may include bracket configured to removably retain a cartridge containing a sachet of an active agent. A lower side of the cartridge that is positioned distal to the lid when the cartridge is installed may include a plurality of perforations or be comprised of an air permeable material. This side may be covered with a cover label. When a container is loaded and ready for use the cover label may be removed to allow air movement between the interior of the cartridge where the active agent is held, and the interior of the container. In some embodiments, the lid may be configured to allow air, gases or moisture (or any combination) to pass above the cartridge and pass through the hole or ported area.

In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to facilitate air circulation around the goods in the container. In such situations, a vented spacer may be positioned at the bottom of the container. The vented spacer may include a plurality of openings in a planar section that extends generally parallel to a bottom of the container. On an underside of the vented spacer, features may be provided to raise the planar section above the bottom of the container. These features may be in the form of feet, projections, and/or protrusions configured to allow air circulation beneath the goods in the container. In some embodiments, the spacer may not include vents.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 provides a cylindrical container to have a sealable lid, which may incorporate some or all of the following:

1) Lid may or may not have raised portions. The raised portions allow passage of air between the lid and bottom of another cylinder container placed on top the cylinder lid

2) Optional, a passage way/hole which is covered by a lable or breathable material capable of controlling, regulating and or managing moisture or exchange of gasses or both

3) A mechanism to slide or attach a cartridge or dispensing unit. Cartridge or dispensing unit would contain substances or sachets which manage the interior atmosphere of the cylinder.

-   -   Cartridge could be sealed with on pervious materials     -   Cartridge could have a cover label which changes colors,         visbible without opening container

4) Inserted false bottom, which has feet to act as spacers. Bottom can have vents or be solid 

What is claimed is:
 1. A modified atmosphere container system comprising: a container body for receiving a good; a lid configured to seal the container body; a cartridge defining an internal space; an active agent disposed within the internal space of the cartridge. 